Breakfast to commemorate local veterans

Friday

Nov 3, 2017 at 1:00 PM

This year's event includes dedication of the POW/MIA Chair of Honor to the late Ralph Perroncello, a World War II veteran. Ralph's widow Maria will be a guest of honor. State Rep. Joan Meschino and state Sen. Patrick O'Connor will present Maria with citations in Ralph's memory.

Abigail Adams aadams@wickedlocal.com

Cohasset’s Elder Affairs has invited the community to join them once again to celebrate the community’s veterans at the Veteran’s Breakfast on Monday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. at Willcutt Commons off Sohier Street.

This year's event includes dedication of the POW/MIA Chair of Honor to the late Ralph Perroncello, a World War II veteran. Ralph's widow Maria will be a guest of honor. State Rep. Joan Meschino and state Sen. Patrick O'Connor will present Maria with citations in Ralph's memory.

A highly decorated veteran of World War II, and a retired Cohasset firefighter, Ralph passed away in August 2012. Among his accomplishments were establishing the VFW Chapter in Cohasset, serving as VFW commander for 25 years until his death, and supporting the town's seniors by his longtime service on the Housing Authority.

Many members of the Perroncello family will be present. Gold Star and POW families have also been invited.

The free breakfast is generously sponsored by Pilgrim Bank and is catered by Suddenly Simple.

VFW member Chris Pratt said at a recent selectmen's meeting with the number of veterans in Cohasset shrinking, it is important to remember them and the service they provided to the United States.

Elder Affairs has held these events for years, according to Director Coral Grande, to shed light on the service provided by local veterans. Last year’s event commemorated Vietnam veterans, many of whom were moved by the rare gesture. Grande told selectmen she was thanked by numerous attendees who said they had yet to be recognized for their service.

While heartbreaking to hear, Grande said she was happy Elder Affairs was able to memorialize their efforts despite going unrecognized for so long.

The Chair of Honor -- an empty chair in honor of those who were prisoners of war or missing in action to show they are not forgotten -- will be housed on the second floor of the building. Pratt said the VFW was instrumental in gathering the resources for the chair that shows “P.O.W.’s and M.I.A.’s will always be remembered and there will always be a spot for them in Cohasset.”

Grande and Pratt encourage anyone interested in attending the event to call 781-383-9112 so they can get a food count.